Whitney Houston, “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” | Throwback Vibez

On the 17^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2022), we recollect and reflect on “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” by Whitney Houston. 

T

he vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez ! Throwback Vibez is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace Throwback Vibez are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils ! All genres of music are welcome – we don’t discriminate ‘round here! On the 17^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2022), we recollect and reflect on “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)”, performed by Whitney Houston.

---

Theme & Lyrics  

“For every win / Someone must fail / But there comes a point when / When we exhale.”  Iconic R&B and pop singer Whitney Houston had an extraordinary run with soundtracks in the 1990s.  Sure, she released two studio albums – I’m Your Baby Tonight (1990) and My Love Is Your Love (1998) – but there were three key soundtracks she was part of, including Waiting to Exhale (1995). Her key contribution to Waiting to Exhale is the no. 1 hit, “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)”, written by the one and only Babyface.  This is Babyface contributing top-notch songwriting and Whitney Houston at her best.

“Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” is a quintessential 90s classic.  It perfectly captures the adult contemporary R&B vibes of the time.  Houston sings incredibly, delivering an emotional, expressive performance.  Why does this exhalation need to happen? Heartbreak, of course – it’s a beast! The three verses are incredible (“When you got friends to wish you well / You’ll find a point when / You will exhale”), but it’s that sing-along chorus, with all those “shoops,” that steals the show.  Houston, of course, makes it sound effortless.

“Shoop, shoop, shoop

Shoop be doop shoop shoop

Shoop be doop shoop shoop (shoo shoo shoo huh) …”

---

Final Thoughts

If you had a black soundtrack in the 1990s, you know you’d betta call Whitney Houston – she unleashed straight-up magic.  It’s not surprising that “Exhale (Shoop Shooop)” was a surefire gem that would ultimately win a Grammy.  Notably, Robin Thicke released a cover  in 2012.  He’s not the only one to cover this certified classic.

---

Various Artists • Waiting to Exhale (Original Soundtrack Album) • Arista • 1995

---

Whitney Houston, “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)”: Throwback Vibez No. 17 (2022) [: Arista, Brent Faulkner, cotton bro,  The Musical Hype]

---